Value of Helsinki computerized tomography scoring system in prognostic evaluation of patients with traumatic brain injury

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical practicability and prognostic value of Helsinki CT score in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 124 TBI patients admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from September 2016 to October 2018. There were 91 males and 33 females, aged 14-84 years, with an average age of 49 years. Glasgow coma score (GCS) at admission ranged from 3-8 points in 45 patients, 9-12 points in 42 patients, and 13-15 points in 37 patients. According to Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) at 6 months after injury, 26 patients were classified into the poor prognosis group with GOS of 1-3 points and 98 patients were in the good prognosis group with GOS of 4-5 points. The prognosis-related risk factors were analyzed, and the role of Helsinki CT score to predict the adverse prognosis and mortality of TBI patients in the two groups was investigated. The sensitivity and specificity of Helsinki CT Score for 6-month poor prognosis were evaluated by receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the curve (AUC). Results Univariate analysis suggested that there were significant differences in terms of subdural hematoma, intracranial hematoma, extradural hematoma, hematoma volume >25 cm3, intraventricular hemorrhage and suprasellar cistern pressure between the poor prognosis group and good prognosis group (P 0.05). The Helsinki CT score could independently predict the adverse prognosis and mortality of TBI patients at 6 months (multivariate logistic regression: ORdeath=1.21, ORadverse prognosis=1.14). Helsinki CT score had a better predictive ability of 6-month mortality (AUC=0.85) than that of 6-month adverse prognosis (AUC=0.76), and had a predictive value for 6-month mortality and adverse prognosis. Conclusions Subdural hematoma, extradural hematoma, intraventricular hemorrhage and suprasellar cistern state (compression or disappearance) are the risk factors for the poor prognosis of TBI patients. Intraventricular hemorrhage and suprasellar cistern state are the main risk factors for predicting the mortality of 6 months. Helsinki CT score can independently predict the adverse prognosis and mortality of TBI patients at 6 months, and has relatively better value in predicting the mortality. Key words: Brain injuries; Tomography, X-ray; Helsinki CT score